Electronic camera and method of operating an electronic camera

ABSTRACT

An electronic camera displays recorded information, such as image frames, to permit the selection of items of information to be transferred to external equipment. Each time an item of information is transferred, an informative indication (e.g., an icon) is displayed in association with the transferred item to confirm the transfer and to permit an operator to select items of recorded information that may be erased. If an error occurs during transfer of a series of items, the operator can determine from the display the point at which the error occurred, avoiding the need for transferring items that have already been transferred.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/056,261, filed Aug. 29, 1997, which is incorporatedherein by reference.

[0002] This application also claims the priority of Japanese PatentApplication No. 9-150839 filed Jun. 9, 1997, which is also incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to an electronic camera, and to amethod of operating an electronic camera adapted to capture an image ofa subject, record the image on a recording medium, and also transferrecorded information to external equipment.

[0005] 2. Related Background Art

[0006] Electronic cameras have been known in the past wherein pictureinformation picked up by an image pickup device is recorded on arecording medium.

[0007] In such an electronic camera, the recording medium may berepeatedly used by erasing recorded information at an appropriate time.To this end, known electronic cameras are provided with variousfunctions for erasing recorded information.

[0008] As one example of such erasing functions, it is known to eraseall of the recorded information on a recording medium at one time by amanual command operation (as disclosed in Laid-Open Publication No.6-90422 of Japanese Patent Application, for example).

[0009] It is also known to erase recorded information on a recordingmedium one item at a time by a manual command operation, whileconfirming this item of recorded information on a monitor screen, forexample.

[0010] Many types of electronic cameras are known which have a functionto transfer recorded information on a recording medium to externalequipment. In transferring the recorded information to the externalequipment utilizing this transfer function, the recorded information maybe backed up or suitably processed as needed.

[0011] The transfer function may also be used to transfer the recordedinformation directly to an external printing apparatus so as to providea printed copy or output of the recorded information.

[0012] In many cases, the recorded information transferred from theelectronic camera to the external equipment is normally saved or outputat the location to which the information was transferred, and it iserased at some time in the electronic camera.

[0013] In known cameras, when recorded information is transferred, theoperator must determine whether each item of the recorded informationhas been transferred. This requires the operator to rely on memory or ona note made at the time of the transfer. This procedure is cumbersome,and possibly inaccurate, and is thus undesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide anelectronic camera and operating method which do not require an operatorto remember or note whether an item of recorded information has beentransferred.

[0015] To achieve this object, an informative indication is displayed,which indicates transfer completion, corresponding to each item ofrecorded information that has been transferred. The operator can thendetermine from the informative indication whether recorded informationhas been transferred. Consequently, the operator need not remember orwrite down whether an item of recorded information has been transferred.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to provide an electroniccamera and operating method that appropriately indicate how far transferprocessing has proceeded during transfer of a plurality of items ofrecorded information.

[0017] To achieve this object, an informative indication is displayedeach time a transfer of an item of recorded information is completed. Byobserving a change in the informative indications, the operator is ableto confirm or determine how far the transfer processing has proceeded.

[0018] In the case where the transfer processing is terminated due to anerror or abnormality, those items that have been transferred before thetime of the termination can be easily determined from the informativeindications. This permits the operator to perform subsequent transferprocessing efficiently, by not transferring the same information twice,for example.

[0019] Still another object of the invention is to provide an electroniccamera and operating method that enable an operator to properly selectrecorded information to be erased, depending on the transfer form ortransfer destination of the recorded information.

[0020] To achieve this object, a displayed form of an informativeindication is changed depending upon a transfer form or a transferdestination. Thus, the informative indication not only indicates whetherthe recorded information has been transferred, but also enables theoperator to identify the transfer form or the transfer destination.

[0021] Consequently, the operator is able to appropriately and carefullyperform the procedure of selecting an item or items to be erased, basedon the transfer form employed for the transfer or the transferdestination.

[0022] When recorded information is transferred from the electroniccamera through a communication line, the recorded information may not bebacked up or saved in may cases. In the camera and operating method ofthe present invention, the operator can determine this situation fromthe informative indication, and is therefore able to appropriately andcarefully perform the procedure of selecting items to be erased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a general embodiment of theinvention.

[0024]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing a particular embodiment.

[0025]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the external appearance (onthe side of the back face) of an electronic camera according to theparticular embodiment.

[0026]FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operations performed in atransfer mode.

[0027]FIG. 5 is a view showing a selection screen of transfer forms.

[0028]FIG. 6 is a view showing screen display after completion oftransfer.

[0029]FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operations performed in anerasing mode.

[0030]FIG. 8 is a view showing screen display when the transferoperation is terminated due to an error.

[0031]FIG. 9 is a view showing screen display when recorded informationis displayed over the entire area of a display screen.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] In the electronic camera of FIG. 1, picture information taken byan image pickup means 1 is obtained by an information obtaining means 2as record information to be recorded. Recording means 3 records thisinformation on a recording medium Z. Transfer means 4 retrieves therecorded information from the recording medium Z, and transfers therecorded information to external equipment.

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, display means 5provides an informative indication for each item of recorded informationthat has been transferred by the transfer means 4, to inform that theitem of recorded information has been transferred.

[0034] With the informative indication thus provided, the operator isable to determine whether an item or items of recorded informationhas/have been transferred. Thus, the operator can select the recordedinformation that has been transferred as an item to be erased, withoutrelying on memory or a note made at the time of the transfer. Accordingto another aspect of the invention, the display means 5 successivelydisplays an informative indication each time transfer of each item ofinformation has been completed. By observing a change in the number ofthe number of informative indications, the operator is able to determinehow far the transfer processing has proceeded.

[0035] When the transfer processing is terminated due to an error orabnormality, informative indications informing completion of transfermay be displayed along with those items of recorded information thathave been transferred by the time of termination of the proceeding.Thus, the operator is able to easily determine which items of recordedinformation have been successfully transferred, and perform thesubsequent transfer processing with improved efficiency.

[0036] According to another aspect of the invention, the display means 5changes the displayed form of the informative indication depending uponthe transfer form of the transfer means 4 or the transfer destination.Thus, the informative indication not only indicates whether recordedinformation has been transferred, but also enables the operator toidentify the transfer form employed or the transfer destination.

[0037] When recorded information is transferred from the electroniccamera, there may be two types of transfers, (1) a transfer whereinformation is transferred and not backed up and (2) a transfer whereinformation is transferred and backed up. With the first type oftransfer, recorded information must be carefully erased to avoidundesired loss of information.

[0038] When recorded information is transferred from the electroniccamera through a communication line, the recorded information is oftennot backed up. Such recorded information needs to be erased properly andcarefully.

[0039] Because the transfer form employed for the transfer (e.g.,communication line), or the transfer destination, can be determinedbased on the informative indications, items of recorded information tobe erased can be selected properly and carefully.

[0040] Turning to the particular embodiment of the present inventionshown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a photographing optical system 12 is mounted inthe front face of a case of an electronic camera 11, and a CCD imagepickup device 13 is located on the optical axis of the photographingoptical system 12.

[0041] This photographing optical system 12 has a zooming function, andits focal length is varied by a zoom motor 12 b driven by a motor drivecircuit 12 a.

[0042] The image output (picture information) of the CCD image pickupdevice 13 is input to a microcomputer 15 via an image pickup circuit 14,which performs conversion, e.g., A/D conversion and other functions.

[0043] The microcomputer 15 has a data bus to which a general-purposeinterface 16 is connected. This interface 16 transfers data to anexternal computer 17 or the like via a cable, for example.

[0044] A liquid crystal display 19 is mounted in the back face of thecase of the electronic camera 11, and is controlled by the microcomputer15 via a liquid crystal drive circuit 18.

[0045] A connector 20 into which a memory card 21 is removably insertedis provided on the side face of the case of the electronic camera 11,and the microcomputer 15 records information in the memory card 21through the connector 20 according to a known film format.

[0046] A picture storage memory 22 that temporarily stores pictureinformation, a compression/decompression circuit 23 that performscompression and decompression of data according to DCT conversion orvariable-length coding, a memory 24 that stores various types of controlinformation, a timer 25 that measures time under control of themicrocomputer 15, and a communications modem 26 that performs datacommunication through a telephone line, are also connected to the databus of the microcomputer 15.

[0047] Also, a main switch 30, a release switch 31, a zoom-in switch 33and a zoom-out switch 34 are disposed on the upper face of the case ofthe electronic camera 11.

[0048] Further, a mode switch 32, a forward select switch 35, a backwardselect switch 36, a confirmation switch 37, a cancel switch 38 and afinder 39 are disposed on the back face of the case of the electroniccamera 11. Switches 30-38 are respectively connected to themicrocomputer 15.

[0049] With regard to the relationship between the general embodiment inFIG. 1 and the particular embodiment in FIGS. 2 and 3, the image pickupmeans 1 corresponds to the CCD image pickup device 13 and image pickupcircuit 14, the information obtaining means 2 corresponds to thefunctions of microcomputer 15 to obtain picture information from theimage pickup circuit 14, the recording means 3 corresponds to theconnector 20 and the functions of microcomputer 15 to record pictureinformation on the memory card 21, the transferring means 4 correspondsto the interface 16 and the communications modem 26, and the displaymeans 5 corresponds to the function of the microcomputer 15 to providean informative indication on the liquid crystal display 19.

[0050] In operation, the electronic camera 11, constructed as describedabove, is initially set to a photographing mode immediately after thepower is turned on.

[0051] In this photographing mode, picture information subjected tophotoelectric conversion in the CCD image pickup device 13 istransmitted to the microcomputer 15 at the same time that the releaseswitch 31 is pressed down.

[0052] The microcomputer 15 causes the compression/decompression circuit23 to perform compression processing on the picture information, andthen records the processed information in a free storage space in thememory card 21 as recorded information.

[0053] The microcomputer 15 constantly checks if the mode switch 32 hasbeen pressed or not, and changes the operation mode in the followingorder each time the switch 32 is pressed.

[0054] Photographing mode

[0055] ↓

[0056] Transfer mode

[0057] ↓

[0058] Erase Mode

[0059] Operations in the transfer and erase modes will be describedhereinafter.

[0060]FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operations performed in thetransfer mode.

[0061] When the electronic camera 11 is set to the transfer mode, themicrocomputer 15 displays a selection screen (FIG. ) of transfer formson the liquid crystal display 19. On this selection screen, two transferforms consisting of “transfer to PC” (personal computer) and “telephoneline” are displayed as alternative transfer forms (step S1).

[0062] In this state, the microcomputer 15 alternately moves the displayof the alternative transfer forms in and out of focus, in response tothe input received upon operation of the selection switches 35, 36, andobtains the result of selection of the transfer form at the point oftime when the confirmation switch 37 is pressed (step S2).

[0063] Then, the microcomputer 15 sequentially retrieves the recordedinformation stored in the memory card 21, and produces thumbnail imagesused for reduction display.

[0064] More specifically, with respect to recorded informationconsisting of picture information, thumbnail images are produced byreducing the numbers of pixels in the vertical and horizontal directionsat the same ratio.

[0065] The microcomputer 15 arranges these thumbnail images in order anddisplays them on the liquid crystal display 19 (step S3).

[0066] In this state, the operator operates the selection switches 35,36 and confirmation switch 37, to sequentially select those items ofrecorded information on the liquid crystal display 19 that are to betransferred. The microcomputer 15 then serially adds pointer informationof the selected items of recorded information to a transfer listprovided in the memory 24 (step S4).

[0067] The microcomputer 15 repeats the above selection processing (whenNO is obtained in step S5) until the confirmation switch 37 isdouble-clicked.

[0068] If the confirmation switch 37 is double-clicked (if YES isobtained in step S5), the microcomputer 15 starts transferring dataaccording to the transfer form that has been selected in step S2 (stepS6).

[0069] More specifically, where the data transfer is performed through atelephone line, the microcomputer 15 sends a command to thecommunications modem 26 to change the telephone line to the connectedstate (off the hook). In this state, the microcomputer 15 causes thecommunications modem 26 to dial a predetermined dial number (step S7).

[0070] When the telephone line has been placed in its calling state, themicrocomputer 15 reads out one item of the recorded information listedin the transfer list from the memory card 21, and transfers the data tothe called terminal through the communications modem 26 (step S8). Thecalled terminal may be a computer on the other side of the telephoneline, or a mail server of PC communications, for example.

[0071] The microcomputer 15 then checks through the communications modem26 whether the data transfer has been normally finished (step S9). Inthe case where it is detected that the data transfer was abnormallyterminated (if NO is obtained in step S9), the microcomputer 15 displayson the liquid crystal display 19 a warning informing the abnormality(step S10), and terminates the operation of the transfer mode.

[0072] If the data transfer was normally finished (if YES is obtained instep S9), the microcomputer 15 links the transferred item of recordedinformation with a telephone icon 51 by affixing the telephone icon 51as shown in FIG. 6 to a thumbnail image of the transferred item ofrecorded information, and displays the icon 51 along with this thumbnailimage (step S11).

[0073] If the data transfer processing has not been completed withrespect to all of the items to be transferred (if NO is obtained in stepS12), the microprocessor 15 returns to step S8 and repeats theabove-described transfer operation.

[0074] If the transfer processing for all of the items to be transferredhas been completed (if YES is obtained in step S12), the microcomputer15 finishes the operation of the transfer mode.

[0075] Where “transfer to PC” shown in FIG. 5 was selected in step S2,the microcomputer 15 performs the operation of step S13 after executingstep S6, so as to implement data transfer through the interface 16.

[0076] In this case, the microcomputer 15 reads out from the memory card21 one item of the recorded information listed in the transfer list andtransfers the data to a receiver terminal 17 connected to the interface16 via a cable (step S13). The receiver terminal may be a computer,backup apparatus, or a printing apparatus, for example. In this transferform, no communications line (such as a telephone line) is interposedbetween the electronic camera and the receiver terminal. It is to beunderstood that the interface 16 is not necessarily connected toexternal equipment through a cable, but may be connected to the externalequipment by means of infrared rays or radio waves, for example.

[0077] The microcomputer 15 checks through the interface 16 whether thedata transfer has been normally finished (step S14). If it is detectedthat the data transfer was abnormally terminated (if NO is obtained instep S14), the microcomputer 15 displays a warning on the liquid crystaldisplay 19 informing the abnormality (step S15), and terminates theoperation of the transfer mode.

[0078] When the data transfer was normally finished (when YES isobtained in step S14), the microcomputer 15 links the transferred itemof recorded information with a PC icon 52 by affixing the PC icon 52 toa thumbnail image of the transferred item of recorded information asshown in FIG. 6, and displays the icon 52 along with this thumbnailimage (step S16).

[0079] If the data transfer processing has not been completed withrespect to all of the items to be transferred (if NO is obtained in stepS17), the microprocessor 15 returns to step S13 and repeats theabove-described transfer operation.

[0080] If the data transfer processing for all of the items to betransferred has been completed (if YES is obtained in step S17), themicrocomputer 15 finishes the operation of the transfer mode.

[0081] Next, the operations in the erase mode will be explained.

[0082]FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing operations performed in the erasemode.

[0083] When the electronic camera 11 is set to the erase mode, themicrocomputer 15 displays a selection screen of erasing methods on theliquid crystal display 19. On this selection screen, three erasingmethods consisting of “erase all data”, “erase manually” and “erase onlytransferred data” are displayed as alternatives (step S21).

[0084] In this state, the microcomputer 15 moves the display of thealternatives sequentially in and out of focus, in response to the inputreceived upon operation of the selection switches 35, 36, and obtainsthe result of the selection of the erasing method at the point when theconfirmation switch 37 is pressed (step S22).

[0085] Then, the microcomputer 15 selects an item or items to be erasedfrom the recorded information, according to the result of selection ofthe erasing method.

[0086] More specifically, when “erase all data” is selected, all itemsof the recorded information on the memory card 21 are selected as theitems (objects) to be erased (step S24).

[0087] When “erase manually” is selected, the microcomputer 15 arrangesand displays thumbnail images of the recorded information on the liquidcrystal display 19. In this state, the microcomputer 15 determines theobject(s) to be erased, which was/were selected by the operator with theselection switches 35, 36 and confirmation switch 37 (step S25).

[0088] When “erase only transferred data” is selected, the microcomputer15 selects, as the object(s) to be erased, one or more items of therecorded information to which the PC icon(s) 52 was/were affixed asshown in FIG. 6 (step S26).

[0089] When the selection of the object(s) to be erased is completed asdescribed above, the microcomputer 15 displays on the liquid crystaldisplay 19 a thumbnail image representing the recorded information ofeach object to be erased (step S27).

[0090] The microcomputer 15 then checks if either of the confirmationswitch 37 or cancel switch 38 is pressed (step S28).

[0091] If the cancel switch 38 is pressed, the microcomputer 15 judgesthat a problem or mistake has occurred in selecting the objects to beerased, and returns to step S21 to re-execute selection of the objectsto be erased.

[0092] If the confirmation switch 37 is pressed, on the other hand, themicrocomputer 15 starts erasing the object(s) to be erased in thefollowing manner.

[0093] Initially, the microcomputer 15 selects one item of recordedinformation to be erased (step S29), and obtains a protection attributeof this item of the recorded information from the memory card 21 (stepS30).

[0094] When the protection attribute is set to “inhibit the informationfrom being erased”, the microcomputer 15 does not erase this item ofrecorded information (step S31), and turns to execute step S34.

[0095] When the protection attribute is set to “allow the information tobe erased”, on the other hand, this item of recorded information iserased from the memory card 21 (step S32). The microcomputer 15 theneliminates from the liquid crystal display 19 the display of a thumbnailimage corresponding to that item of recorded information which has beenerased (step S33).

[0096] If the above processing has not been completed with respect toall of the objects to be erased (if NO is obtained in step S34), themicrocomputer 15 returns to step S29 and repeats the above-describedoperations.

[0097] If the processing has been completed with respect to all of theobjects to be erased (if YES is obtained in step S34), the microcomputer15 finishes the operations of the erase mode.

[0098] In the electronic camera 11 of the present embodiment, whichoperates as explained above, the PC icon 52 or telephone icon 51 isdisplayed in association with each item of recorded information that hasbeen transferred.

[0099] Accordingly, the operator need not remember or write down whetheritems of recorded information have been transferred.

[0100] Also, in the electronic camera 11 of the present invention, thePC icon 52 or telephone icon 51 is added for display each time thetransfer of one item of recorded information is completed. By observingchanges in the informative indications, the operator is able todetermine how far the transfer processing has proceeded.

[0101]FIG. 8 shows liquid crystal display 19 when the transferprocessing is terminated due to occurrence of an error or abnormality.This display shows that an error occurred during the transfer of firstto sixth items of recorded information, in increasing numerical order,through a telephone line, and that the processing was terminated duringtransfer of the fifth item of recorded information. Note that telephoneicons 51 are affixed to and displayed along with the first to fourthitems of the recorded information, and therefore, the operator isappropriately informed of the fact that the fifth and following itemswere not transferred. In subsequent transfer processing, the operatorcan resume transfer with respect to the remaining fifth and sixth items,without transferring the same data twice, thus assuring high efficiency.

[0102] In the electronic camera 11 of the present embodiment, thetelephone icon 51 is affixed to and displayed along with each item ofrecorded information transferred through a telephone line, and the PCicon 52 is affixed to and displayed along with each item of recordedinformation that was transferred without passing through the telephoneline.

[0103] The recorded information to which a telephone icon 51 is affixedis often transferred with no assurance that a backup copy of thetransferred information exists.

[0104] The recorded information to which a PC icon 52 is affixed, on theother hand, is often transferred to a computer, a backup apparatus or aprinting apparatus, and there is a high probability that a backup orprinted copy of the information exists separately.

[0105] Thus, the operator can distinguish the items of recordedinformation accompanied only by the telephone icons 51 from others onthe liquid crystal display 19, and can determine carefully whether itemsof recorded information shall be erased.

[0106] Similarly, the operator can distinguish items of recordedinformation accompanied by the PC icons 52 from others on the liquidcrystal display 19, and can promptly select items of information asobjects to be erased.

[0107] Further, the electronic camera 11 of the present embodiment isprovided with an automatic selecting function for automaticallyselecting items of recorded information to which a PC icon 52 is affixedas an object to be erased, as shown in step S26 of FIG. 7. This functionmakes it possible to automatically select and erase an item of recordedinformation for which a backup or printed copy is highly likely toexist. Thus, recorded information can be erased with significantlyimproved efficiency.

[0108] While plural thumbnail images are arranged and displayed on theliquid crystal display 19 in the present embodiment, the presentinvention is not limited to this mode. For example, a single item ofrecorded information may be displayed over the entire area of the liquidcrystal display 19, as shown in FIG. 9. In this case, the operator isable to look at a selected or desired item of recorded information byfeeding recorded information one frame after another by use of theselection switches 35, 36. Simultaneous with the display of each item,the PC icon 52 or telephone icon 51 may be displayed in a part of thescreen, so as to provide an informative indication that the displayeditem of information has been transferred.

[0109] While the PC icon 52 and telephone icon 51 are selectivelydisplayed depending upon the transfer form selected for data transfer inthe present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to thisarrangement. The display mode of such indications informing the transferform may be changed depending, e.g., upon the destination to which therecorded information was transferred. When the data transfer isperformed through a telephone line, for example, the informativeindications displayed may be changed depending upon the dialed terminalnumber. Where the data transfer is performed through an interface 16such as a universal serial bus (USB), the informative indicationsdisplayed may be changed for each ID number representing a receiver thatanswered the call. With such informative indications provided, theoperator is appropriately informed of the destination of transfer ofeach item of recorded information, and is able to effectively utilizethe destination as a criterion for determining whether the relevant itemof information is to be erased or not.

[0110] While the telephone line is listed as one type of a communicationline in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited tothis type. Generally, communication lines may include communicationnetworks, such as INTERNET, or radio communication networks.

[0111] Although the electronic camera 11 has an erasing function in thepresent embodiment, the present invention is not limited to thisarrangement. Generally, the informative indication of transfer formaccording to the present invention is useful for electronic camerashaving no erasing function. Where data on the memory card 21 is erasedon a separate apparatus, for example, an object(s) to be erased can beappropriately selected referring to the informative indication(s)provided on the electronic camera.

[0112] While the informative indications are displayed in the form oftelephone icons 51 and PC icons 52 in the illustrated embodiment, thepresent invention is not limited to these types of indications. Forexample, the indications informing the transfer form may be providedusing different forms of displaying frames of thumbnail images,different colors of the frames, characters, symbols and others.

[0113] When the same recorded information is transferred to the externalequipment a plurality of times in the illustrated embodiment, anindication may be provided which permits the number of transfers to beidentified. For example, the same number of icons as the number oftransfers may be displayed, or the number of transfers may be displayedin the middle of the corresponding icon. With such indications thusprovided, the operator is appropriately informed of the number oftransfers of the recorded information, and is able to effectively use itas a criterion when determining whether the information has beentransferred to all the locations to which it should be transferred.

[0114] Although the electronic camera 11 transfers recorded informationfrom the memory card 21 in the illustrated embodiment, items ofinformation may be transferred directly from an information obtainingmeans. See FIG. 1.

[0115] Although the electronic camera 11 picks up and records image datain the illustrated embodiment, other data such as voice data may also beprocessed. With respect to record information consisting solely of voiceinformation, thumbnail images may be produced by combining a picturedisplay, such as a tone symbol, and a character display representingreproduction time, for example. The voice data may be picked up using anexternal microphone. See the dashed arrows in FIG. 1.

[0116] Although the electronic camera 11 inputs image data from an imagepick-up device, picture or voice data to be processed may be inputdirectly from an external input terminal. See the dashed arrows in FIG.1.

[0117] Although the electronic camera 11 can automatically erase itemsof recorded data that have been transferred, the electronic camera couldprevent data from being erased, or display a specific appropriatewarning, so as to inhibit inadvertent erasing of non-transferred itemsand items that were transferred in an insecure manner.

[0118] While preferred implementations of the invention have been shownand described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatchanges can be made in these implementations without departing from theprinciples and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined bythe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic camera comprising: image pickupmeans for capturing an image of a subject and producing pictureinformation; information obtaining means for obtaining recordinformation including at least one of said picture information, voiceinformation which is provided through a microphone, and informationwhich is provided through an external input terminal; recording meansfor receiving record information from said information obtaining means,and recording record information on a recording medium; transfer meansfor receiving record information from said recording medium or from saidinformation obtaining means, and transferring record information toexternal equipment; and display means for displaying informationrelating to record information, wherein said display means provides aninformative indication of record information that has been transferredby said transfer means, said informative indication identifying recordinformation that has been transferred.